Declan McDonogh expects Little White Cloud to benefit from step up in trip for Irish Derby

Jockey Declan McDonogh (above) expects an “improved” Little White Cloud to benefit from the step up in trip in Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

McDonogh, in his first season as stable jockey to Little White Cloud's trainer John Oxx, feels a mile and a half should be well within the son of Dalakhani's compass.

Having won a Dundalk maiden, the grey finished third in the Derrinstown Derby Trial and second in the Gallinule, where he was behind subsequent Royal Ascot winner Leading Light. “Stepping up to a mile and a half should really suit him being from the same family as Millenary and all those good stayers,” said McDonogh.

“He put up a good show against Leading Light, who went and won the Queen’s Vase. He’s tough and he handles fast ground, so hopefully they won’t get too much rain.

“I think he’ll run a good race. He wasn’t far behind Battle Of Marengo and we think he’s improved a lot since then, the trip should be right up his street and he should run a good race.”

Little White Cloud is one of nine declared runners for the Curragh Classic.